“Republican Tama Theis cruised past DFLer Joanne Dorsher and the Independence Party’s Todd McKee Tuesday, retaining control of a historically GOP district with a special-election win in Minnesota House District 14A.”

“University professor Clark Johnson won 54 percent in a special election for a North Mankato area seat in the Minnesota House beating Republican Allen Quist. The election to replace resigning Rep. Terry Morrow, keeps the seat in DFL hands.”

“One of Obama’s harshest critics in Minnesota’s delegation, Rep. Michele Bachmann, said while the speech didn’t break new ground, she hoped his call to renew the nation’s infrastructure would mean federal funds to help widen I-94 in her district.”

“Security officials asked Rep. John Kline to view proceedings from an alternate site near the Capitol. The implication: Kline was a designated survivor if a catastrophe hit. It’s a Cold War practice extended in recent years to members of Congress.”

Humane Society and other groups argue “the decision to take wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan off the endangered list threatens the animals’ recovery throughout most of their historic range.”

“With seven declared candidates for Minneapolis’ most hotly contested mayoral race in decades, the city will use ranked-choice voting to decide the winner. This election is expected to draw far more voters and put the system to the test.”

There has been plenty of attention involving a bill that would rely on $585 million in taxpayer money to help the city of Rochester redevelop the city.

The plan, which is being pushed by the Mayo Clinic, is now set to go through the legislative meat grinder on Thursday. The House Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee will hold a hearing on the bill that day at 12:30.

Gov. Dayton has said something has to be done to ensure the Mayo Clinic expands in Minnesota. But several lawmakers expressed concerns that the bill could set a bad precedent since the city could tap a portion of income and corporate tax revenues to pay for local development.

Mayo Clinic officials say the money is needed to ensure the city remains a destination medical center. — Tom Scheck